An utterly heartbreaking and gripping world war 2 historical novel

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Synopsis

‘I was gripped from the very first page… It was heartbreaking… I smiled through these happy times with them but also shed tears… I could not put it down… Will undoubtedly pull at your heart-strings. Just make sure you have a box of tissues ready!’ Stardust Book Reviews, 5 stars

A heartbreaking, unputdownable and utterly unforgettable story of two young sisters cruelly abandoned by their mother at an orphanage. Fans of Wives of War, Lisa Wingate and Diney Costeloe will lose their hearts to this stunning World War Two novel.

1929: Four-year-old Etty and eight-year-old Dorothy are abandoned at Blakely Hall orphanage by their mother, never to see her again. With no other family to speak of, the sisters worship their beloved mam – and they are confused and heartbroken to be deserted by her when they need her the most.

1940: Etty and Dorothy are finally released from the confines of Blakely Hall – but their freedom comes when the country is in the grip of World War Two and its terrors. Amidst a devastating backdrop of screaming air-raid sirens and cold nights huddled in shelters, the sisters are desperate to put their broken childhoods behind them.

But trouble lies ahead. Dorothy must bid goodbye to her beloved husband when he’s sent to war and Etty must nurse a broken heart as she falls in love with the one man she can never be with.

Etty and Dorothy survived the orphanage with the help of one another and neither sister can forget the awful betrayal of their mother, which has haunted them their whole lives. But when a shocking secret about their painful childhood comes to light, will the sisters ever be the same again?

Readers are losing their hearts to The Orphan Sisters:

‘Perfect… I could not put it down… Had it finished in just over a day, reading it during every spare minute I had!... Will undoubtedly pull at your heartstrings.Just make sure you have a box of tissues ready! Stardust Book Reviews, 5 stars

‘What a beautiful story!Had me in tears from the very beginning. I couldn't put this one down.’ A Book With Review, 5 stars

‘I love the story… A tale of family, heartbreaks, and forgiveness!... The characters are wonderful... The book is written so beautifully!... It's not a story I will soon forget! I definitely recommend this book to others!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘Emotional and inspiring.’ NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars

‘Superb!... A page turner of a read as I was so engrossed… The Orphan Sisters is a compelling and emotional story that will tug on the readers’ heartstrings.’ By the Letter Book Reviews, 5 stars

Historical fiction and its best!

This is a beautifully written heartbreaking story of two sisters, Dorothy 8 and Esther "Etty" 4, who were left by their mother at an orphanage, Blakely Hall, in November 1929. They did not know why they were being left there but they kept hoping their mother would come back; however, she never did. Dorothy was the first to leave and go to work for a local family when she reached a certain age. When Etty was old enough to leave, she was allowed to go and live with Dorothy who had a job and a flat by that time. Dorothy meets, falls in love and marries Lawrence "Laurie" Calvert. He is sent off to war in the Navy as a signalman in a submarine. Etty meets Trevor Milne and begins dating him but then she meets Billy Buckley who is dating her friend May and falls in love with him. Lots of unforgettable, heartbreaking things happen in this story that will definitely tug at your heartstrings. This story is about family, heartbreaking events and forgiveness. I absolutely loved this superb page turner. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this outstanding book in exchange for an honest review.

by Lee Husemannon January 22, 2019

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3.0

Nice story

Thanks so much for story....
I love you so apps.
Thanks for lot

by Love E.on January 24, 2019

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5

The Orphan Sisters

A good story with a lot of heartache for the 2 sisters. Wonderful how they were able to overcome the orphanage and carry on with their lives.

by Annetteon February 01, 2019

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5

Lost Love.

Two sister's alone in the world. This heartwarming story was a book you couldn't put down. A must read. Love, tragedy, a new life. I would recommend this book to females everywhere.

by Catherine Bursey.on February 07, 2019

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4.0

A history lesson you can't put down!

The Orphan Sisters is a debut novel but only in name. Shirley Dickson brings us a well versed, concise story that covers the very interesting lives of two sisters. Dorothy is 11 and Esther - Ettie by preference - is but 3 when the girls are placed in the Blakely Hall Orphanage in Westoe Village, Shields England by their mother in November 1929. Dorothy is calm mannered and sedate. Ettie is a fireball. And life at Blakely Hall is asture, with strict rules, little to eat and chores that keep the children busy all day. But despite the fact that their mother promised to return for them, Dorothy is released into service at age 15 on November 1937, and Ettie to Dorothy's care shortly after her marriage to sweet Laurie in February 1940. The girls are together again.
In spite of the war, they are happy. Dorothy is madly in love with her Navy husband, and Ettie is pleased with her job and thrilled to finally be out from under the thumb of the wicked headmistress at the orphanage. Life in Shields is covered picturesquely both before and during the war. The dates, the movies, the clothes are exquisite. Both girls have fine friends and Ettie has a fellow. Shields is often bombed and life is pretty uncertain but you find happy when you look for it, regardless. And wildly exciting at times, as well.
This is an excellent peek into the minds and souls of women in wartime. It is a wonderful slice of life in England in World War II. It is a novel I can happily refer to friends and family, and one I will want to read again at leisure.
I received a free electronic copy of this historical novel from Netgalley, Shirley Dickson, and Book Bookouture in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.